Updates

July 2024

We often have some idea of what the structure of a map will be before research and design begins. With this map, we don’t. The history of space is probably an area we have the least experience in of the four maps being worked on. In some ways that is exciting for us, a new part of our world to learn about, but it also means we are a tad more blind.

We have not yet started the process of research but there are a few things we have discussed. The map is likely going to begin with the Wright Brothers and our first escape from the grips of gravity, and end in the present day with SpaceX and Rocket Lab. That, however, doesn’t leave room for the foundational work of discovery done by people like Copernicus and Galileo. We want to have them on the map, but still haven’t decided the best way.

We have also discussed how to display the divide in exploration and discovery that happened during the Cold War. Similarly to the early explorers, we don’t have a solution for this quite yet but hopefully the answers will come once we begin research. The final thing, and this we are certain of, this map will be fully black.

— Matt